Abdominal diastasis after becoming a mother, how to recover the firmness of the belly?

Diastasis abdominalis occurs when the abdominal muscles separate, so that the belly bulges and looks loose. It is a common occurrence in women who have recently become mothers.

Abdominal diastasis, a common problem during pregnancy

Diastasis abdominalis occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles separate. The causes can be different: weight gain, sedentary lifestyle or poor postural hygiene, and even hormonal changes or the effects of surgery. However, one of the main reasons is pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the body prepares to make room for the baby, and a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles located on the sides of the abdomen occurs. When perfectly toned, these muscles form what is commonly known as the “six pack” or “chocolate bar”. During pregnancy these muscles expand and the organs relocate, as the baby needs space as it grows. All this can cause the connective tissues or fascia, which is the membrane that binds the abdominal muscles together, to become damaged.

The fascia is like a rubber band: if it is stretched too much, it can reach its tension limit and give way. Hence, diastasis abdominalis is an injury to the fascia, and not to the muscle itself. This causes many women, after childbirth, to still have a belly, as if they were still four months pregnant. The woman’s belly looks flabby and sagging, as well as bulging, which happens because the abdominal wall has lost its containment capacity.

Are there patients more prone to suffer from abdominal diastasis?

Although it is difficult to estimate the prevalence of abdominal diastasis, it is estimated that it affects between 27 and 100% of women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, and between 30 and 68% of women in the postpartum period.

But it is important to note that it can also affect women who have not been mothers (35%, according to several studies), and also men.

Read Now 👉  What are the objectives of Plastic Surgery?

Whatever the cause of the lesion, it is important to know it and treat it, since it has a solution and subsequent problems can be avoided.

What are the health consequences of abdominal diastasis?

Diastasis abdominalis is not only an aesthetic problem. The rectus abdominis muscles we have in the abdomen have a utility: the abdominal wall (or core), also formed by obliques and transverse, is the central core of our movement. Its function is to keep the body upright and stable. They also allow us to have a base to be able to move the arms and legs, flex the trunk and, in addition, they intervene in breathing.

If the rectus muscles are damaged, a bulging abdomen will appear but will also occur:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Back pain
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Digestive problems
  • Prolapse

It is important that abdominal diastasis is assessed and diagnosed by a specialist, who will sometimes use an abdominal ultrasound, and treated in time.

How can abdominal diastasis abdominalis be treated?

Abdominal diastasis is not “normal” and patients should not be satisfied with it. It can and should be treated.

The specialists in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery must evaluate the situation of the musculature and the rest of the abdominal tissues and establish a solution according to the type of diastasis (functional or anatomical).

Some solutions to abdominal diastasis are:

  • Physiotherapy, where the objective is to recover the tone of the abdominal muscles. Hypopressive exercises and other techniques to strengthen the core can help in some cases, always recommended by an expert in the field.
  • Surgery, where abdominal diastasis can be corrected with an abdominoplasty. The intervention consists in the plication or suture of the rectus muscles. In this way they are rejoined, recovering the abdominal wall firmness and appreciating the waist again.